18 December 2014 10:00

Lancaster University’s research has been rated as world leading in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) which assesses the quality and impact of research submitted by UK universities across all subjects. 

Lancaster is ranked 13th for the percentage of world leading research out of the 128 institutions listed and 18th in the UK overall.

  • 83% of Lancaster’s research is internationally excellent and world leading                                                                                                  
  • 35% of  Lancaster’s research is ‘world leading’ the highest marker of quality   

Some key areas of research are ranked particularly highly: 

  • Business and Management - 1st in the UK at Lancaster when ranked for research power and 1st for the number  of research active staff, showing  LUMS to be the leading research intensive management school in the UK. 
  • Sociology ranked 3rd for world leading research and 2nd for research impact 
  • Computing and Communications is ranked 7th in the UK for world-leading and internationally excellent research and 12th overall

  • English Language and Literature has been ranked 3rd in terms of research power, behind only Oxford and Cambridge.

Lancaster is ranked 20th overall for impact meaning research which has particular reach and significance.  Lancaster has also been recognised for its vibrant research environment.  This includes the strong support for researchers, the opportunities for cross disciplinary research and its excellent links with other research institutions worldwide.

Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University said:  “This is a very positive result which shows that Lancaster continues to produce extremely valuable research and knowledge of the very highest quality for the benefit of society. Lancaster University is firmly established as one of the UK's top universities, and a world player in research and teaching as reflected in our rising global league table position.”